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Avatar for Purdey Electric, LLC
Purdey Electric, LLC
5.0(
5
)
Portable Generator - Install

Serving Merlin, OR and surrounding areas

In business since 2022

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Purdey Electric was efficient and got the job done quickly so that the next contractor could follow behind them without delay. Purdey electric has helped on multiple jobs for me."
Back-up Home Generator
Response time11 hrs
Recommended by80%of homeowners
Ferguson Electric LLC
5.0(
2
)
Generator - Install - For BusinessPortable Generator - Install

Serving Merlin, OR and surrounding areas

In business since 2022

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Brenton set up an appointment and kept it. He & Marvin were extremely nice, worked efficiently, cleaned up after they were finished, made sure they were doing exactly what we wanted by asking questions and listening. We were very please with Ferguson Electric and would highly recommend them"
Response time5 days
Response rate100%
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for JBC Group Solutions Inc
JBC Group Solutions Inc
4.0(
4
)
Fixed Generator - InstallFixed Generator - RepairGenerator - Install+4 more

Serving Merlin, OR and surrounding areas

In business since 2007

Emergency services offered

"They did a real good job. They were real professional. We can now open the garage door from the inside of the house and now it is so smooth that we have to check to see if we hit the button to open it or close it.  Before we used to know when it was opening or closing because it used to make a noise. It helps when you move to a city where you are new. "
Custom Staircases
Custom Exterior Restoration
Custom Bathrooms
Recommended by75%of homeowners
Generator Install questions, answered by experts

To determine the right size generator for your house, you should calculate the total wattage of the appliances and devices you want to power during an outage. List all essential items, note their start-up wattages, and add them together.

Here are some typical wattage requirements for common appliances:

  • Refrigerator: 600 watts

  • Large dehumidifier: 700 watts

  • Large window air conditioner: 1,400 watts

  • Water heater: 3,000 to 4,500 watts

  • Electric furnace: 5,000 to 25,000 watts

A 7,500-watt generator might be sufficient for essentials like a refrigerator, freezer, well pump, and lighting circuits. However, for high-demand items like a water heater or furnace, a whole-home generator is a better choice. A portable generator may be enough if you only need to power a few critical items.

While home square footage can offer a rough estimate, it is not always a reliable indicator. For reference, here are some typical generator sizes based on square footage:

  • 1,000 sq ft: 6–9 kW

  • 1,500 sq ft: 7–10 kW

  • 2,000 sq ft: 10–14 kW

  • 2,500 sq ft: 12–16 kW

  • 3,000 sq ft: 16–20 kW+

For the most accurate sizing, consult a professional who can calculate your home's peak and average power consumption and recommend the optimal generator.

In many cases, yes. There are models called dual-fuel generators and fuel switches, but only between certain types of fuel. For example, with the right setup you can convert a generator from natural gas to propane. Some allow switching between diesel and gasoline. There are even tri-fuel generators available in some cases, which adds a large layer of security if you are worried about fuel availability in times of crisis. Always check your generator capabilities and manual instructions before trying to switch fuels. Some generators can use another fuel but may need a fuel conversion kit to prep them first.

Generators are usually sized by running watts and starting watts. Ideally, you’ll want a generator that can offer both the necessary running watts and starting watts for everything you need to power without going beyond 90% of its capacity. Calculate your home’s electrical load based on the breakers in your home or adding up the appliance and lighting needs of connected rooms.

You can determine what size generator you need for a transfer switch by matching the switch to the largest outlet on your generator. Larger generators can power up to 10 circuits, while most 5,000-watt generators can provide power to six circuits. So, if your generator’s largest outlet is 30 amps, you’ll need a 30-amp transfer switch.

Here’s what you can run with different wattages and types of generators:

Portable generator:

  • 2,000 watts can handle a large appliance like a freezer or refrigerator, plus a few smaller items like phones or computer chargers. 

  • 4,000 watts will keep two large appliances operating and a few smaller devices.

  • 8,000 watts should power most essential appliances and other devices, including a sump pump, well pump, or your dishwasher.

Partial to whole-house generator:

  • 20,000 watts and above will make it seem like your home’s power is still on.

The Merlin, OR homeowners’ guide to generator installs

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.